Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Two Types of Assays for Detecting Frog Sperm Chemoattraction
Published on: December 27, 2011
Glycoconjugates in sperm function and gamete interactions: how much sugar does it take to sweet-talk the egg?
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., # 516, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. diekmanalan@uams.edu
Abstract:
Glycoconjugates in the mammalian reproductive tract are critical components of the molecular mechanisms that control sperm maturation, sperm transport and gamete interactions. In the oviduct of many species, sperm transport and maturation are regulated by protein-carbohydrate interactions that form a sperm reservoir. Subsequently, gamete interactions are mediated by the binding of lectin-like sperm proteins with carbohydrate moieties on the zona pellucida. The sperm glycocalyx is extensively modified during sperm transport and maturation. Multiple functions have been proposed for this dense carbohydrate layer overlying the sperm plasmalemma, and sperm-surface carbohydrates have been implicated in immune-mediated human infertility. The structure and function of glycoconjugates in the oviductal sperm reservoir, the zona pellucida, and on the sperm surface are reviewed.
More Related Videos
08:22Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation
Published on: January 22, 2020
13:53Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes
Published on: December 19, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Yeast Signaling
Fertilization
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Oligosaccharide Assembly
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Proteoglycans
Glycocalyx and its Functions
Components of...